You’re a mom – which just might be one of the most rewarding (and challenging!) jobs in its own right. And you’re an entrepreneur – perhaps one of what Fox Business calls the “new breed of Mompreneurs”, working hard to balance business and family needs.

You’re not alone. The number of woman-owned business increased by 59% from 1997 to 2013, according to The 2013 State of Women-Owned Businesses Report, commissioned by American Express OPEN. The report says that as of 2013, there were an estimated 8.6+ million women-owned businesses in the US, generating over $1.3 trillion in revenues and employing nearly 7.8 million people.

Women are rocking it – in business and in life. They’re redefining the very concept of what it means to be a “modern mom” – and they’re doing it in increasing numbers and in innovative ways.

If you’re a Mompreneur, I have five tips to help bring out the very best – in you and in your business. Let’s get started!

Get a new perspective.

How many times have you heard stories like these?

• “I gave up everything after my son was born.”
• “Maybe after the kids are in school, I’ll be able to do something for myself.”
• “When the kids are out of the house, I’ll have more time to focus on starting my own business.”

Being a mom is not a setback – in fact, most moms are pretty well-acquainted with traits that make every entrepreneur shine – multitasking, creative thinking, managing money, problem-solving, negotiating, keeping things organized, and building great relationships. Most of us are committed, resilient, and pretty flexible, too.

Apply these same skills to your entrepreneurial life – and watch your successes blossom!

Stop comparing yourself.

Who’s your biggest critic, really? Are you your own worst enemy? If you spend too much time focusing on people you perceive as smarter, more attractive, more successful or just plain “better” than you, you won’t be able to pay attention to what really matters – your own life.

Best-selling author and stay-at-home mom Pamela Zimmer brings awareness to and supports women with Postpartum Depression. “The best thing you can do is to focus on making it your best possible life, and that means different things to different people!” she advises. Don’t concern yourself with what your friends, family, or neighbors are working towards – focus on what you want to achieve instead.

Include your kids.

Lauren Thom founded Fleurty Girl using $2,000 from her tax return. Fast forward five years, and the mom of three now owns five locations and manages 30 employees. Her advice? She includes her family in her business by making them a part of her entrepreneurial journey. “I’ve always considered my kids to be my board of directors,” she shares.

And who knows, your kids might serve as the very inspiration behind the products or services you offer! Melissa Kieling had a problem – she struggled to find a product that would keep her kids’ lunches cold and safe. Like any creative mom, she developed the PackIt Personal Cooler, a lunch bag with a freezable gel built into its lining. PackIt has flourished into a $14 million business with a range of products offered in countries around the globe.

Think progress, not perfection.

We all fail sometimes – that’s just part of life. But if you’re a perfectionist, it can be easy to focus so much on getting things pin-perfect that you lose focus on the end result. Think about the goals you’ve set for yourself…

Are they realistic, attainable and reflective of your authentic inner self? Or do they serve to limit you and add to feelings of stress, frustration, or strain? Don’t be afraid to reevaluate your goals from time to time.

Above all, never forget to celebrate all you have accomplished, allowing yourself to build momentum for further progress by focusing on everything you’ve already achieved. Progress is always possible; perfection is not.

Take your passion…and make it happen.

Jessica Herrin, CEO and founder of Stella & Dot, a jewelry and accessories company, says it best. “When I have done things only because it was what others highly valued, I did a few good things. When I have pursued the things that make my heart sing, I have done something great.”

Identify what brings you joy and pursue it. You’re far more likely to succeed and to experience higher levels of satisfaction and fulfillment when you’re following your true calling – not what others think you should be doing.

Here’s the best part – when you’re a Mompreneur, you’re not just any business owner. You’re showing your kids the limitless possibilities that lie ahead for them – and you’re serving as an inspiration to other women whether you realize it or not. So, stand proud and embrace your success!

If you’re ready to take your passion and make it happen, you have to get your spunk back first!  Click here to watch a 3-part video series designed to to take you to higher levels in your life.

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Spirit. Liveliness. Determination. Courage.

These words make up the very definition of spunk. It’s incredibly easy to lose our spirit – our spunk – when we get caught up in the grind of everyday life.

Here’s the thing: before you can move forward with achieving your “heart goal”, you need to have a certain energy level in place. Our spunk diminishes over time when we become overly focused on trying to live up to life’s constant expectations and demands.

Here are 10 of my favorite ways to get your zest for living back…

1. Get rid of what’s draining you. Have you taken an honest look at your schedule lately? What tasks consume too much of your time and effort? First identify – then either delegate or eliminate them.
2. Slow down. Do you subscribe to the popular notion that “more is more”? Think again. I know how impossible it may sound to follow the “easy does it” mindset, but give it a try – the results might surprise you.
3. Follow your passion. What are your flow activities that bring you joy? These replenish your mind, body, and soul. Make time to engage in activities that fuel you – your soul will thank you for it!
4. Declutter your environment. Think: 5 minute changes at a time – so you’re not adding to the overwhelm. You don’t have to worry about getting every room, closet and desk drawer in tip-top shape all at once – just devote a few minutes each day.
5. Overhaul your wardrobe. The power that your wardrobe can have is incredible. Donate clothes that no longer fit or flatter you. Replace them with garments that make you look and feel radiant, confident, and empowered.
6. Say no to individuals and circumstances that drag you down. This is something we all encounter sometimes…that person who just brings you down and siphons your energy. If you can’t completely eliminate the person or circumstance, do your best to distance yourself.
7. Stand up for yourself. At first glance, this one might seem very similar to the tip above…but it’s actually different. This is about developing the assertiveness you need to set boundaries. Are you saying “yes” to too many opportunities at once? Be real with yourself and know that it’s okay to say “no” sometimes.
8. Identify your strengths. Your inner strengths are just as important as your external tools are resources. Write down all the unique talents, attributes, and abilities that make you shine – this is also a great way to boost self-esteem.
9. Nourish your body…with healthy foods, exercise, and plenty of rest to allow it to regenerate. Sure, you’ve heard this hundreds of times before – but are you really doing it? If your body is running on empty all the time, how can you expect to soar in your life?
10. Take action! Absolutely nothing can happen for you if you don’t actually take action. What’s the action you need to take to get your zing back? Do it! Don’t be that ship aimlessly floating around a vast, endless ocean of self-doubt and fear – be the captain of your own ship and navigate to higher, bolder levels of fulfillment and success!

Now that you have 10 easy strategies to reclaim your spunk, make a commitment to do something just for you – and only you – today. If you want to truly influence and give back to others, you must start with yourself first.

Want to get your spunk back and more? Click here to watch a 3-part video series designed to to take you to higher levels.

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Can you think of a time when you felt great – enthusiastic and empowered – only to encounter a negative person who put a damper on your own mood? Most of us are probably familiar with this. Not surprisingly, being around negativity can seriously impact your own well-being and ultimately, your success.

Why Complaining is Bad for You

Minda Zetlin penned an article called Listening to Complainers Is Bad for Your Brain for Inc.com, where she highlighted several key reasons overexposure to negativity really is bad for you.

Zetlin cites author and “serial entrepreneur” Trevor Blake, who explains that our brains operate more like a muscle than previously thought. What this means is that if you’re stuck listening to someone being negative for a while, you’re more likely to behave that way too.

Research also shows that exposure to 30 or more minutes of negativity can peel away neurons in the brain’s hippocampus, the part of your brain that plays a role in problem-solving. You don’t have to experience an in-person negative event – even watching negative material on TV can have the same effect.

In an article published in Psychology Today, author Guy Winch, Ph.D. explains that our mood, self-esteem, and our general mental health can all be affected by a buildup of the frustrations and feelings of powerlessness associated with unaddressed complaints.

What to do About Negative Naysayers

1. Reposition pessimistic comments. This is a powerful one, whether you’re leading a team at a large company or a budding entrepreneur. In an HBR article, author Amy Gallo asserts that negativity left unaddressed can squash momentum and motivation.

Instead of allowing negative comments to linger, ask the other party for more information. Let’s say you’re planning to launch a new business. Someone says to you, “I wouldn’t waste the time if I were you. You’ll never make it past the launch phase in this economy.”

Don’t retort with more negativity or start the back-and-forth over the original comment. Ask the person for clarification: “What would you suggest to give the best chances of success?”

Another easy tip is to encourage the use of “but statements” following skeptical or critical comments. For instance, you could respond, “It may not be easy, but my mentors have really helped me build a solid foundation so I can start off strong.”

2. Don’t play into the “victim” mentality. Whether you’re the one complaining, or you’ve been confronted by a Negative Nancy, never give in to victimhood. If you have to complain, complain effectively.

Wait…complain effectively?? Yes, that’s right. In an article written by Meg Selig for Psychology Today, readers are presented with nine habits of very effective complainers, which include taking responsibility (if you have some) in the matter, clearly identifying what it is you’re even complaining about, and seeking out the person(s) most appropriate to help you solve the concern.

What do you get out of it? More self-esteem, stronger relationships, heightened mood, and higher levels of satisfaction. Just remember to resist the urge to become a chronic complainer – understand that some things simply aren’t worth your time or effort.

3. Encourage a workable solution. Calling attention to something that’s gone wrong and complaining endlessly about it are two totally different things. Think about the last time you saw a group of people together going on and on over a perceived wrong. You probably heard phrases like, “Oh, that’s awful”, “That’s just so wrong”, or “Can you believe that happened?”

The problem with this is that even just passively listening to conversations like these can negatively impact you. Why? Because the focus isn’t on an actionable solution, but on the negativity surrounding the problem.

The next time you’re cornered by a chronic complainer, ask her what she is going to do about the issue…how does she plan to resolve it? The responses you can expect to receive will vary based on the individual – some people will simply walk away in a huff, but others may actually want to strategize a solution.

In reality, negativity is something we all will face in our everyday lives. It’s how we handle it that makes all the difference in the world.

Do you want to gain the self-confidence you need to conquer the negative naysayers in your life? Don’t miss my FREE confidence e-series! Sign up here, or connect with me anytime!

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“I am not a product of my circumstances. I am a product of my decisions.”

-Stephen R. Covey

Decisions. We all make them. From deciding what to wear to the office each day to choosing a new career path, we make choices every single day. How many times have we heard phrases like the following:

• The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence.
• Big risk can equal big reward.
• Hindsight is 20/20.

When you’re faced with a tough decision, do you let “what if”, fear-based thinking to creep in, or do you come at it from a balanced perspective, staying aligned with your values and vision?

In reality, we’ve probably all approached the decision-making process both ways during the course of a lifetime. Most of us don’t normally sweat the small stuff.

It’s the big “stuff” that counts – deciding whether to launch a new business, terminate a job, start (or end) a relationship, or move to a new location. Making decisions like these can stop even the most outwardly confident, successful people in their tracks.

As Forbes.com contributor Alex McClafferty so aptly states, “To solve difficult problems, you need to make difficult decisions.” Here are five helpful tips to help you navigate through the challenging decisions in your life:

1. Analyze your values. Before jumping in to make any big decision, take a good, honest look at your values. The decision you ultimately make should be strongly aligned with your most important values, beliefs, and intentions. If you haven’t done so in a while, I suggest making a list of the values that are most significant to you. This outline can serve as a visual aid as you go through the decision-making process.
2. Don’t put off tough conversations. In many cases, the decisions you make will impact other people – whether it’s your team at the office or family members at home. Have you been avoiding a difficult conversation – one that, although challenging, might provide you with greater insight and clarity into an issue? If so, have that conversation, no matter how difficult. Putting it off doesn’t solve anything, it’s unfair to you and the other person, and more than likely, will allow an issue to grow even bigger.
3. Maintain focus on what really matters. Understand that no matter how much information you have – how many details you’ve gathered – there will always be more out there. Many of us get stuck in a trap of “When I get more info, I can make the decision”. It’s absolutely fine to gather data to make your decision – just don’t get so caught up that you become paralyzed by it. As Forbes.com contributor Alex McClafferty says, “You will never have complete data to make your decisions. This is OK.”
4. Put things in perspective. Yes, hindsight is 20/20. But remember that most problems aren’t as bad as they seem. Make it a goal to maintain a positive mindset no matter what the outcome. Don’t become so personally invested in a decision that you lose your ability to choose objectively. If you feel yourself becoming too emotionally invested, consider consulting a trusted coach, mentor, or friend for an unbiased perspective (which is a good idea regardless).
5. Set a date. It’s great to be able to tick those simple decisions off your to-do list and feel that satisfying sense of accomplishment for doing so. Big decisions aren’t usually made in a brief moment, but it doesn’t mean you can’t set a deadline for yourself. Set aside time each day to evaluate the pros and cons of your choices, and create a roadmap of milestones you can work toward achieving.

Remember that this is not an excuse for putting off a decision you should have made a long time ago. Think back to a time where you said, “I should have done this sooner.” If you know you need to handle something, do it. Now.

Outline your values, understand the risks involved with your decision, be objective, and maintain a confident, positive mindset as you make your choice. Every decision you make won’t be the “right one”, but you can learn from everything so you don’t make the same error again in the future.

Has a lack of confidence held you back from making decisions you know you need to make? Don’t miss my FREE confidence e-series! Sign up here, or connect with me anytime!

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Having a network of trusted advisors, mentors, and friends isn’t just for newbies – even CEOs need mentors too, according to an April 2015 HBR article. In fact, mentorship is so important the article authors even suggest, “…we are convinced that more CEOs should connect with mentors rather than assume that theirs is a burden to be shouldered alone.”

Whether you’re a student just about to embark on your career path, a small business owner ready to launch, an established professional about to take your game to a whole new level, or a prominent C-level executive, working with a knowledgeable, trustworthy advisor can mean the difference between keeping things at status quo – or ascending to new heights of success and accomplishment.

Here are five reasons why you might choose to work with a wise mentor:

1. You need advice and an unbiased perspective. When you’re very close to a situation, it’s easy to become so wrapped up in it that you lose sight of any clear perspective. Enter a trusted mentor. He or she can offer you unbiased advice gleaned from years of real-life experience. Unlike the advice you receive from your family, friends, and close colleagues, your mentor is there to provide third-party guidance free of judgements or preconceived ideas about who you are.
2. You need a sounding board. Being able to talk to someone in complete confidence is incredibly beneficial. Trust in a mentoring relationship is so critical, some CEOs are driven to seek counsel from experienced “outsiders” as opposed to mentors within the organization, according to the HBR article. It’s not just about venting – you can work with your mentor to get to the bottom of your frustration – then develop ways to solve the issues you’re facing.
3. You need confidence. If you’ve been following my blog for any length of time, you probably know how critical I feel it is to have confidence. Working with a trusted mentor can help you gain the confidence you need in a myriad of ways. You can build the confidence necessary to make tough decisions, and you might begin to see yourself from a new, more confident perspective, enabling you to speak up for what you believe in and stand your ground in challenging situations.
4. You need strategies and inspiration. Forbes.com contributor Sujan Patel shares how easy it is to fall into the “I’m on-top-of-the-world and know everything there is to know” trap. Moreover, he asserts, it’s “even easier to feel too afraid or proud to ask for help”. If you need strategies for climbing to the next level, or you’ve just hit a roadblock in your business, reaching out to someone you can trust will impact your business – and maybe even your life – in ways you never imagined.
5. You need to build new relationships or strengthen existing ones. Patel also explains how his decision to set his ego aside and reach out to a few mentors has helped him form several ongoing relationships that still exist even after a decade of success and experience. Mentor-mentee relationships can result in continuing collaborations throughout your career, which also benefits you by creating a consistent stream of resources vital to continued growth.

No matter what path you’re on in life, you’ll benefit from working with a trusted advisor who can help you develop the skills you need to advance, give you unbiased advice, build relationships, and so much more.

Do you want to learn more about how greater confidence can change your perspectives – and your life? Don’t miss my FREE confidence e-series! Sign up here, or connect with me anytime!

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